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Hi all
thoughts on curved glass (rounded edge) tanks please!
Are there any pros n cons with curved edge tanks?

I have been shopping around for a new 5ft tank and an LFS had a curved glass, thats the ones with the front edges rounded, not the whole front curved. Anyway the curved tanks are always much more expensive and out of my price range. However the LFS had one with a stuffed cabinet and guess what I can fix cabinets. It brought the whole price down to just a little $100 over a normal rectangle type.

I must state this is not the overhead filter type.(extra light was where they normal put that) The top comes off easy enough for access, and its new. the cabinet problem is not structual, just doors not fitting, easy fix...for me anyway

What I like about the curved glass ones is that they tend to be higher by about 3-4 inches over the standard straight glass ones. I get more capacity yes, but to me the extra height increases dramatically the viewing angle and surface.

cheers

My 5footer
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2242540621_1a81dcb3c8.jpg

I don't think that there's much, if any difference except the look of the tank. I personally prefer them to rectangular tanks, but haven't been able to afford one. I'd say if it's a good price and you want it, get it.

thanks truestar, they certainly are normally expensive, and i dont like overhead filters (at this size) So this seems too good to refuse


My 5footer
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2242540621_1a81dcb3c8.jpg

Overhead filter? Do you mean a HOB?

I say if you like the look of the tank, and you've talked them down it sounds a good deal to me . How many WPG does it have with the extra light?

Only 'issue' I can think of with curved tanks is that the algae scrubbers on a stick are sometimes harder to use on them than rectangular tanks, but I've been using an algae magnet for ages, much easier anyway.

I don't know that I'd spend the money on a curved tank, they're good in some places but if it's just going to be against the wall I'd have a regular tank, spending the extra cash on other stuff. And keep in mind that taller is not always better when it comes to bioload, surface area matters more .

^_^

I personally like the shaped tanks they have a different perspective on viewing. There is a challenge in aquascaping and taking photos can be a bit harder as well.

Lighting is not at the front as much but this does not seem to mater very much.

It reminds me of an expensive solid small imported table I bought at a up market store. It had a few small scratches on the top and I knocked of at least $200. I told the sales person how could I fix that as I was only a school teacher. He did not ask what I taught, Cabinet Making/polishing. A few minutes work and its better that new. That was my job for 2 years touching up furniture before it was sold, before I started teaching the trade.

Good luck with the new tank a good deal you pulled off

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith:

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I believe they are called external top filter ETF
they are pretty much HOB filter but its housed inside the top of the hood, toward the back. They are used alot on those cheap smaller Jebo and Aqua One tanks. I think they would be a tad noisy on the larger scale. I think it had 3x4ft tubes in it all with external switches. they have a tube in the centre, the rear(instead of the expected filter) and one in the front.. Far more than i have seen on other units.

understood about the taller. Its more a matter of viewing angle than capacity.

My 5footer
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2242540621_1a81dcb3c8.jpg

Nice one keith!

Ah, those filters, not sure I really like the idea of them. Never seen one in action, but seems they'd be a bit limited and difficult to maintain. I'd be glad for the extra light anyway .

Seems good, wonder if you could get them to give you a discount on a filter or if that'd be pushing it

^_^